Monday, June 28, 2010

Team work

When we first brought Havyn home from Ethiopia in March we were overjoyed with our amazing daughter. However, it was obvious that at 6 months she was rather delayed and we had quite a bit of work ahead of us. Thanks to our amazing ECI (Early Childhood Intervention) workers- our occupational therapists and speech therapists- we were soon working our way towards recovery.

A lot of the issues Havyn was having revolved her being 2 months premature. She was having a lot of swallowing issues and horrible reflux. After a swallow study we found out she was indeed aspirating- even on her own saliva. Poor baby had been in horrible pain. We soon began thickening her formula and she also began sleeping on a wedge. It was a balancing act really- she would eat small amounts every 2 hours- but had to be kept upright for at least an hour after her feeding. ECI also wanted us to push tummy time so in between feedings every 2 hours and one hour being upright we then went down on our tummy. Lots to juggle. However- it began to pay off and she is now almost caught up and growing in leaps and bounds. She is 16 lbs and ready to take off.

Honestly though I have to attribute most of her success to her support team- Mya, Aleigha, Kaden and Carson. They are her biggest fans (as well as mommy and daddy and her oldest brothers and sisters). They encourage her, cheer her on and have crawled by her side. :0) Even ECI said that older siblings are the best therapist there are!
I am so thankful for these amazing, beautiful kids and I am so very, very blessed.
.

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18 comments:

Dardi said...

Amen to that!! My kiddos turned into Kaya's best physical therapists & her progress was crazy good. Whoever says these kids get slighted by being part of a large family have never witnessed the awesomeness of this kind of team work! ;o)

Holly said...

Yep, they are some beautiful blessings alright! :)

Sha Zam- said...

GREAT PICTURES!! They do seem to flourish once in a family don't they! Congrats!

Unknown said...

Simply divine! Goodness I want to eat her UP!

Love her smile and bright eyes!

You are doing a great job!

Love you,
Jill

"Are These Kids All Yours?" said...

Totally love this!!!!! Older siblings are the best!!!! HUGE benefit of larger families :)

Andrea Hill said...

I knew she would come around even when you first told me after you came back from ET. Your princess was a blessing just like mine and I am waiting for more miracle stories from the Blocks.

Mom 4 Kids said...

Beautiful family! I had not seen Carson's beautiful face before now either. What a blessing they all are!

Sophie said...

So glad to hear she's making progress, she's so precious.

When my boy's were home during their sister's therapy they loved to jump in and help out and it's amazing how she responded to her brother's, they truly were so supportive and instrumental in how she progressed.
Haven is so lucky to have a whole team behind her!

Laurel said...

Absolutely Adorable!

:) :) :)

James 1:27 Family said...

Your children are stunning! I love seeing their pictures and hearing how God is working miracles in your beautiful family. I know you inspire many to reach out to others and open their own families to welcome a new little one. I love the Block family!

In Jesus,
Amy

Anonymous said...

Amy:
She is adorable! Beautiful big brothers and sisters too. So glad they are such a help to her.God is good!
Leveta

trustandobey said...

Yeah for teamwork, togetherness and family. May God bless your efforts to help your littlest one...looks like He has already!
Lisa

Debbie Doughty said...

Yeah Team Block! GO TEAM!

Alison said...

Okay, your kids are just all just TOO CUTE!!! Love these pictures! So glad that she is doing so great and has made so much progress! What a blessing!!

Reading Widely said...

So happy she's doing well! And what adorable therapists she has! :) We always say that the boys are Sunshine's best form of therapy. Whatever they do, she wants to do. It's so great to see!

BrandiB said...

You have such beautiful kids! What a blessing I know they are

Anonymous said...

So glad to see that Havyn is improving! She really has some great help!!!

emily said...

Love this post! Our team always says that Abe's best therapists are his sibs and I believe it!! Way to go.